Spruce beetle trap catches and tree mortality in Colorado

This data publication includes data collected in support of a study to examine if the number of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) caught in Lindgren funnel traps with an attractant can be used to predict subsequent Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) tree mortality caused by the insect. Data were collected from unmanaged spruce-fir plots at the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in north-central Colorado during the summers of 2001 and 2002. Pheromone traps were deployed in each of 18 spruce-fir plots. Insects were collected from the traps throughout the season. After insect flight was complete each year, a series of subplots within the plots were surveyed for the presence of successfully attacked and killed trees.Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) can cause extensive tree mortality in western conifer forests. Among these, the spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) is the most important beetle in North America causing Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) tree mortality. Although pheromone traps with attractants are commonly used to monitor spruce beetle populations, the relationship between the numbers of beetles caught in pheromone traps and subsequent tree mortality has been scantly investigated. If such a relationship exists and can be modeled, pheromone trap catches could be used to predict tree mortality.For more information about this study and these data, see Negrón and Popp (2017).